Get ready to encounter the uniquely diverse wildlife and flora of Ecuador in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Yasuní National Park is an enormous protected forest encompassing an area of approximately 6,100 square miles (about 9,820 square kilometres). The park is one of the most biologically diverse locales on earth. It is so rich with unique and diverse flora and fauna that several hundred different species of trees, birds and wildlife can be found within just 0.4 square miles (one square kilometre) of the entire park. A world-record number of 150 amphibian species (for locations with comparable landscapes) also inhabit the park. Your visit here takes place high up on Lake Garza Cocha, in the comfort of La Selva Amazon Ecolodge & Spa. One of the first Amazon rainforest lodges in Ecuador, La Selva won the Ecotourism Award from the World Congress on Tourism and the Environment. Here, you can watch birds and other wildlife as you sip a cocktail from the bar. The Ecuadorian capital of Quito is highlighted by its beautiful and historic city centre, named the very first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rich with spectacular, well-preserved landmarks, splendid art treasures, fine woodcarvings, and flowering balconies, the historical centre is the lifeblood of Quito. Indulge your senses with the pristine natural beauty of the Amazon River and splendid, Old World charm of Quito during this unforgettable, four-night overland excursion. Following a transfer to the Santa Rosa Airport, a scheduled flight to Quito and a connecting flight to Coca, take a motorised canoe-ride down the Napa River to La Selva Lodge. Enjoy refreshments and a short briefing about La Selva, the rainforest, Amazon River and La Selva. Following check-in and some free time, take a guided walking tour along the picturesque Matapalo Trail. Back at the hotel, enjoy cocktails, a pre- or post-dinner canoe-ride along the Amazon River, dinner and an overnight stay. After breakfast at the lodge, visit the Observation Tower for spectacular rainforest views. Next, take a guided stroll on the Tucaneta Trail, see medicinal plants and learn about your surrounds. From here, walk to the lagoon of Mandi Cocha and see the Igapo Forest, colourful birds and giant otters. After lunch back at the lodge, depart for an afternoon trek along the Charapa Trail in search of mammals, monkeys and birds. Back at the hotel, enjoy cocktails, dinner and an overnight stay. After breakfast at the lodge, take a paddle- and motorised-canoe-ride on the Napo River to the clay licks. Next, visit the local Mandi Huasi community, and learn about the life of the Kichua tribe in the Amazon. After lunch at the lodge, embark a paddle-canoe and discover the Garzacocha Lagoon with its monkey and bird species, then return via the Ceiba Trail. Take a pre- or post-dinner nature walk to enjoy the Amazon jungle at night, and review your itinerary for the following day. Following dinner and an overnight stay, check-out and take a canoe-and-bus transfer to the Coca Airport for your scheduled flight to Quito. Transfer to the equator at the Middle of the World, with a boxed-lunch served en route. From here, proceed for a visit to the Intiñan Museum to explore pre-Columbian life in Ecuador. Leaving the museum, drive to the beautiful and historic centre of Quito. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of the city centre. Visit La Compañía to see the gold gilding on its glittering walls, then walk through the bustling Independence Plaza, flanked by the Presidential Palace and Quito Cathedral. Following dinner, an overnight stay and breakfast at the Illa Boutique Hotel, check-out and transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to Lima. Upon arrival, your Mid-Voyage Land Adventure concludes on Day Five with a transfer to the port of Callao. Upon arrival at the pier, embark the ship.
04MIDMCH-A Amazon & Quito
Departure: October 26th, 2019 from Puerto Bolivar (Machala) at 8am
Duration: 5 Days/4 Nights
Re-join ship: October 30th, 2019 in Callao at 1pm
Reserve by: A minimum of 60 days prior to sailing.
IMPORTANT NOTE
This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 60 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.
Payment-in-full is due within 60 days prior to sailing. Booking made within 60 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea. Onboard Spending Credit may not be applied to the purchase of this programme.
All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 60 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.
VISA INFORMATION:
Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Ecuador. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.
LOCAL CURRENCY:
The local currency of Ecuador is the US Dollar; however, local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (shopping stops are planned during the program).
Indulge your senses with the pristine natural beauty of the Amazon River and splendid, Old World charm of Quito during this unforgettable, four-night overland excursion.
DAY ONE - Sunday, October 26, 2019 - Machala/Santa Rosa/Quito/Coca/La Selva Lodge
Transfer to the Santa Rosa Airport, a scheduled flight to Quito and a connecting flight to Coca
After disembarking the ship in Machala, Ecuador's principal harbour and largest city, meet your guide and depart for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to the Santa Rosa Airport. Upon arrival, check-in for your scheduled, approximately two-hour flight to Quito, and a connecting, approximately 55-minute flight over the Andes to the city of Coca, nestled in the Amazon Basin.
Dock transfer and a motorised canoe-ride down the Napa River to La Selva Lodge (boxed lunch)
Upon arrival at the Coca Airport, meet your guide and transfer to the docks of Puerto Francisco de Orellana (Coca). Embark a comfortable, covered and motorised canoe for the 2.5-hour trip down the Napo River to La Selva Lodge. Along the way, birds such as herons, kingfishers and many others come into view. A packed lunch and water is provided en route.
Enjoy refreshments and a short briefing about La Selva, the rainforest, Amazon River and La Selva
The hotel staff greets your arrival with a refreshing juice, snacks and a short briefing by your naturalist guide about your stay at La Selva, the tropical rainforest and Amazon River. The idea is to begin your activities with background knowledge of this amazing place.
Check-in, free time and a guided walking tour along the picturesque Matapalo Trail
After check-in and some free time to freshen-up, meet your guide in the late-afternoon and depart for a guided, approximately 0.6-mile (about one-kilometre) walking tour along the Matapalo Trail. This trail was given the Spanish name of the famous strangler fig, one of many remarkable trees that can be found on this picturesque walk. Mahogany trees over 400 years old can also be seen, and your guides share their knowledge of the flora and fauna. Due to the time of day, there is great natural light, and the diurnal and nocturnal animals begin their daily transitional activities.
Pre-dinner cocktails and snacks
Upon returning to the lodge, enjoy cocktails, tea, coffee and snacks prior to dinner.
Dinner is at the lodge.
Overnight accommodations in a Superior Scenic Room at La Selva Lodge - Coca
DAY TWO - Monday, October 27, 2019 - La Selva Lodge
Breakfast at the lodge, and a visit to the Observation Tower for spectacular rainforest views
After an early breakfast at the lodge, meet your guide and depart for a guided trek to the Observation Tower. Its amazing construction enables you to climb 120 feet (about 36 metres) above the rainforest. During your visit, your naturalist and native guides help you spot the colourful birds of the Amazon, and maybe even certain primates.
Take a guided stroll on the Tucaneta Trail, see medicinal plants, and learn about your surrounds
On the way back from the tower, you may opt to take a stroll along the Tucaneta Trail, where your native guide points out some of the medicinal plants still in use today, and offers interesting commentary about the ecology and natural history of the Amazon.
Walk to the lagoon of Mandi Cocha and see an Igapo Forest, colourful birds and giant otters
Alternatively, you may opt for a scenic, approximately one-hour hike to the beautiful lagoon of Mandi Cocha. Here, an Igapo Forest is present, meaning that the forest is temporarily flooded by black water. Different species of birds, and even giant otters, can be seen here. Following your visit, commence the approximately 0.93-mile (about 1.5-kilometre) walk back to the lodge.
Lunch at the lodge
Lunch is served at the lodge, followed by some free time at your leisure.
Depart for an afternoon trek along the Charapa Trail in search of mammals, monkeys and birds
This afternoon, meet your guide and depart for a guided trek along the Charapa Trail. This trail goes on for about an hour beginning at the lodge, and ends by the edge of the lagoon. It is a great loop where different mammals, monkeys and birds can been seen, especially since they come closer to the lagoon at this time looking for food.
Take a pre- or post-dinner canoe-ride along the Amazon River
This time of day is also perfect for taking in a beautiful Amazonian sunset from the water in the canoe. Depending on prevailing weather conditions, an alternative night-time canoe-ride for stargazing may be offered.
Dinner is at the lodge.
Overnight accommodations in a Superior Scenic Room at La Selva Lodge - Coca
DAY THREE - Tuesday, October 28, 2019 - La Selva Lodge
Breakfast at the hotel, a paddle- and motorised-canoe-ride on the Napo River to the clay licks
After breakfast at the lodge, meet your guide and embark a paddle-canoe for a ride to the lodge's dock on the Napo River, then switch to a motorised canoe for a panoramic ride to the clay licks, one of the most fascinating displays of the wild world. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather here to eat the mineral-rich soil, an important part of their diet; binoculars are essential to really capture the moment.
Visit the local Mandi Huasi community, and learn about the life of the Kichua tribe in the Amazon
Next, continue on for a visit to a local community, Mandi Huasi. Here, an Amazonian Kichua woman welcomes your arrival to their Community Centre. Here, learn about the life of the Kichuas in the Amazon. This is special because it is a part of the Amazon not found on maps, and offers a unique opportunity to really get to learn more about the people of the Amazon. Following your visit, embark the motorised canoe and return to the lodge.
Lunch at the lodge
Lunch is served at the lodge, followed by some free time at your leisure.
Discover the Garzacocha Lagoon with its monkey and bird species, and return via the Ceiba Trail
This afternoon, meet your guide, embark your paddle-canoe, and depart for the Garzacocha Lagoon. This lagoon is one of the most beautiful in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Your visit offers ample opportunities to see monkeys and birds, and, at times, families of squirrel and capuchin monkeys looking for food. The tremendous calls of the howler monkeys can be heard in the afternoon, and the smallest monkey in the world, the pigmy marmoset, is found here. Plenty of birds, like the hoatzin, toucans or macaws, can also be seen flying overhead. Following your visit, return to the lodge via the Ceiba Trail.
Take a pre- or post-dinner nature walk to enjoy the Amazon jungle at night
Before-or-after dinner, meet your guide and depart for a nocturnal nature walk (weather-permitting). Enjoy the creatures and sounds of the Amazon Jungle at night, and bring along a flashlight for this captivating experience.
Review tomorrow's check-out and departure instructions with a staff member
Upon returning to the lodge, the staff provides all of requisite information about your check-out and departure procedures tomorrow morning.
Dinner is at the lodge.
Overnight accommodations in a Superior Scenic Room at La Selva Lodge - Coca
DAY FOUR - Wednesday, October 29, 2019 - La Selva Lodge/Coca/Quito
Breakfast at the hotel, a canoe and bus transfer to the Coca Airport, and a scheduled flight to Quito
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Coca Airport via canoe and bus. Upon arrival, check-in for your scheduled, approximately 50-minute flight to Quito.
About Quito
Nestled at the foot of the approximately 15,696-foot (about 4,784-metre) Volcán Pichincha, Quito is renowned for its eternally, spring-like climate, and the beauty of its well-preserved Colonial Centre. Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was eventually integrated into the Incan Empire before being destroyed, and re-founded in 1534 by Spanish Conquistador Sebastian de Benalcázar.
For nearly 300 years, the arts and intellectual societies flourished under Spanish-Colonial rule, a fact evidenced in the historic centre's splendidly-restored Colonial buildings and churches lining the narrow, cobbled streets. In 1809, Quito established the first self-governing junta in the colonies. The liberator Simón Bolívar led the country as part of the Republic of Greater Colombia until 1830, when the Republic of Ecuador announced its independence. Due to the city's preservation of its blended past, Quito was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is beautifully situated in an Andean valley at a height of 9,350 feet (about 2,850 metres), making it the second-highest capital city in the world.
Transfer to the equator at the Middle of the World (boxed-lunch)
Upon arrival at Quito Airport, meet your guide and depart for the approximately one-hour drive north (boxed-lunch en route) to the equator at the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). Here, you can straddle both hemispheres at once.
Visit the Intiñan Museum to explore pre-Columbian life in Ecuador
Next, stop by the Intiñan Museum (the 'sun path' in Quechua). Located at the true equator, the museum displays samples of pre-Columbian life in Ecuador, and offers demonstrations on the unique geography, astrology and natural sciences of the region around the equator.
Leaving the museum, drive to the beautiful and historic centre of Quito
Leaving the museum, re-board your coach and drive into the Ecuadorian capital of Quito. Upon arrival, take a guided, approximately two-hour walking tour of its beautiful and historic city centre, named the very first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit La Compañía to see the gold gilding on its glittering walls, then walk through the bustling Independence Plaza, flanked by the Presidential Palace and Quito Cathedral. Rich in art treasures, fine woodcarvings and flowering balconies, the historical centre is the lifeblood of Quito.
Following your visit, transfer to your hotel for check-in and some free time to freshen-up before dinner.
Dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight accommodations in a Run-of-the-House Room at the Illa Boutique Hotel - Quito
DAY FIVE - Thursday, October 30, 2019 - Quito/Lima/Callao
Breakfast at the hotel, check-out, an airport transfer and scheduled flight to Lima
After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, meet your guide, transfer to Quito Airport and check-in for your scheduled, approximately 2.25-hour flight to Lima.
Transfer to the pier and embark the ship
Upon arrival in Lima, meet your guide and transfer to the port of Callao. Upon arrival at the pier, embark the ship.
Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately four miles (about 6.5 kilometres), at times over uneven, rough, rocky, slippery, high altitudes, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coaches and buses, board/de-board the airplane and embark/disembark the canoes, and 110 steps at the sites visited. This tour is recommended for active guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back and/or neck problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing (long-and-short-sleeved shirts, shorts, with flat, non-slip, and closed-toe walking shoes or sneakers), and bring sun protection, sunglasses with a strap, insect repellent, a weatherproof jacket, raingear, small backpack for land visits (for cameras, bottled water, etc.), camera, plastic bag to keep your camera or photographic equipment dry, medications, binoculars, and local currency for purchases from the ship. Guests must carry their passports and ship's ID at all times. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Although frequently encountered on this type of tour, wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. The tour sequence and itinerary may vary. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Airlines restrict baggage to one bag at approximately 44 pounds (about 20 kilograms) per person; hand-luggage cannot exceed 17 pounds (about eight kilograms) in weight, and smaller aircraft may be utilised (at the discretion of the airline). Additional bags can be checked in at the service desk, and the fee is payable at the check-in counter at the time of booking.
Programme Includes:
‐ Three-night stay in a Superior Scenic Room at the La Selva Lodge - Coca
‐ One-night stay in a Run-of-the-House Room - Illa Boutique Hotel - Quito
‐ Scheduled, Economy-Class flights: Santa Rosa/Quito, Quito/Coca, Coca/Quito and Quito/Lima. Business-Class is available upon request at an additional charge and subject to availability, as most aircraft do not offer business seating.
‐ Four breakfasts, four lunches (boxed-lunch on Day One and Day Four), and four dinners (lunch includes choice of two local beers, soft drinks, bottled water; beverage at dinner also includes house wine)
‐ All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary
Not Included:
Any meals and drinks not specified above, charges incurred by the airlines for excess or overweight luggage, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance, and other personal items. All Land Adventures require a minimum number of participants in order to operate as described. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Silversea's published cruise cancellation policy will remain in effect. All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and are not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. Onboard Spending Credit may not be applied to the purchase of this programme. All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable, for any reason, within 60 days of sailing and are recommended to guests 18 years of age and older. This description is a general overview of this programme. Our local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if local situations, including holidays, changes made by airlines, government activities, and weather, require. The programme described in this brochure is provided by independent contractors. Silversea acts solely as ticketing agent. Silversea shall have no obligation or liability of any kind to guests for the business practices, acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of arrangements with independent contractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground-tour operators, and hotels since they are neither agents for nor employees of Silversea Cruises. Silversea's liability does not extend beyond the vessel.
